Texas Transportation Code § 545.062 – Safe Following Distance
Table of Contents
Statutory Text:
§ 545.062(a):
An operator shall maintain an assured clear distance between the vehicle and one in front of them so that, considering speed, traffic, and road conditions, the operator can safely stop without colliding with the preceding vehicle.
What Is the Texas Law on Following Too Closely?
Section 545.062 makes it unlawful to follow another vehicle too closely on Texas roads. Drivers must leave enough space to:
Avoid rear-end collisions
React safely to braking or slowing traffic
Maintain control based on current conditions
This statute is commonly cited in:
Rear-end accidents
Traffic citations
Personal injury lawsuits
What Is a Safe Following Distance?
Texas law does not specify exact feet or seconds, but a safe distance depends on:
Speed of traffic
Road conditions (wet, icy, etc.)
Traffic flow
Reaction time and braking capability
A driver can violate this law even without a crash if following dangerously close.
Example Scenario
A driver follows another vehicle too closely in stop-and-go traffic and cannot stop in time.
They collide with the rear of the other vehicle.
Under § 545.062, the driver may be cited for following too closely, and this can support a negligence claim in court.
Why § 545.062 Matters in Civil Cases
A violation may be used as evidence of negligence
In Texas, rear-end collisions often result in automatic fault unless rebutted
Insurers and courts use § 545.062 to assign liability for car crashes
Related Statutes
§ 545.060 – Failure to Maintain Lane
§ 545.401 – Reckless Driving
§ 550.021 – Duty to Stop and Render Aid
Texas Case Law Interpreting § 545.062
The court found that rear-end collisions create a presumption that the trailing driver was negligent under § 545.062.
The court held that evidence of following too closely supported the jury’s finding of negligence.
Frequently Asked Questions About § 545.062
Houston Personal Injury Lawyer - Joel A. Gordon
It depends on speed, traffic, and road conditions. If you can’t stop safely without hitting the vehicle in front of you, you’re following too closely.
Not always, but Texas courts often presume fault unless the trailing driver proves the lead vehicle braked suddenly or acted unpredictably.
Yes. A violation of § 545.062 can support a negligence per se claim in a personal injury or car accident case.
Use the 3-second rule as a guideline in good conditions, and increase following distance in rain, fog, or heavy traffic.
Reinforced that governments are not liable unless they knew of the condition and failed to warn.